Volunteer Celebration 2015

On the 29th of July our annual Volunteer Celebration day took place in the wonderful surroundings of Wistanstow Village Hall.  Nearly 80 volunteers from across the service came together to hear a range of presentations and participate in a number of activities in the afternoon.  The day began with a presentation from Miranda Ashwell on the importance of physical activity and the role volunteering can help achieve this, this was followed by the exciting news about the launch of new website and branding for our service.  Ed Andrews of Severn Valley Country Park gave an overview of the brilliant work achieved by volunteers in creating and adopting the new nature reserve at Eardington and this was followed by an overview of some of the success stories of the volunteers from around the County given by Richard Knight.  After lunch a range of activities were on offer from demonstrations by the maintenance team of some of the new equipment use to deliver their service, an open question session from the mapping team on Rights of Way law to a number of walks and a visit to Rectory Wood to talk about site management with Ed. Two of the walks went up to local landmark of Flounders’ Folly situated on Callow Hill.  The Flounders’ Folly Trust were kind enough to allow our guests access to the top of the tower affording wonderful views across the County (particularly to the first group who got there ahead of the rain!)    A huge thank you to everyone who attended on the day and made it a success.

Progress on Ploughing and Cropping Issues

One of the most common issues reported on the Public Rights of Way network is Ploughing & Cropping.  The legislation does allow footpaths and bridleways to be ploughed or cropped but requires their reinstatement within a specified timescale. Reinstatement means that the line of the route has to be clearly defined within the crop/field and accessible to either the width identified within the Definitive Statement or to a minimum width as defined by the Highways Act 1980.

The Mapping & Enforcement Team in April 2015 sent out letters to all known landowners who had either been reported to them for Ploughing & Cropping during the last year or were known to the team as repeat offenders.  The relevant guidance note on Ploughing & Cropping was also sent out with this correspondence.

This has resulted in many owners contacting the team to confirm their compliance or to clarify other matters relating to their routes.  To date Inspections have revealed a compliance rate of around 80%. The team are currently working on a Public Rights of Way guide for Landowners and Farmers.  Click here for more guidence on Rights of Way Law.

Trevor's Incredible Achievement

Trevor Allison, Footpath Secretary of the Shropshire Ramblers and Ryton IX Towns P3 Coordinator, is a man who knows a thing or two about Shropshire's Rights of Way.  He should do, he's walked every single one of them!  5 years ago Trevor began walking and recording the condition of the network and now his project has come to completion.  If you are already impressed wait till you know he accessed the whole County on public transport as he does not drive.  Here is an extract about the project from the man himself: 

 "It all began on New Year’s Eve 2010 when I went on a Shropshire Ramblers’ Winter Walk in the Shifnal Area of East Shropshire and realised that I did not appreciate all the varied types of landscape that are to be found in Shropshire.  The thought came to me that I should try to walk at least one Right-of-Way in every Shropshire Parish, and that was the initial plan! But it all quickly developed into a much bigger idea, to get to know ALL of Shropshire by walking EVERY Right-of-Way.  I slowly realised the enormity of the task, there are 202 Parishes in Shropshire and over 13,900 sections of ROW!!!

I aimed to complete it in 5 years but at Bouldon, in the Parish of Diddlebury on 20th of March 2015, after 4 years 2½ months, I finished walking and recording every one of them. I never got fed up with the walking, and that is because of something I have not yet mentioned, SHROPSHIRE is BEAUTIFUL, and not merely the bits we are familiar with. I have come upon some wonderful rural Parishes, rarely visited by tourists, with narrow twisting roads and busy farms. If I knew how to do it I would be promoting what I would call ‘The Hidden Heart of Shropshire’; there is so much beauty out there to savour. Having walked some 10,000 kilometres I have identified over 1000 sections which were problematic, or impossible to use, in one way or another.  I am still wading through my records, sorting the ‘problems’ into various categories and checking anything I am unsure of; when I am satisfied I will present the Rights-of-Way Department with various lists and my conclusions, but in general there is one thing I can say, those Parishes where a Parish Action Plan was not carried out are in a worse state than those where such a Plan was completed or which have a functioning Parish Paths Partnership.  We need to have a Rights-of-Way network that is properly open and available, and that is where the role of the P3 volunteers is of vital importance. Finally, I think I might just know rural Shropshire better than anyone else, at least for the present!" Trevor Allison 2015

Albrighton P3 Group

Pebble Brook Path Improvement Project

Over recent years Pebble Brook path has become very difficult to negotiate during the Winter months with mud in places over ankle deep. It is one of the most accessible and well used paths in the area, offering a real taste of the countryside around the village.

After much deliberation it was decided that the most effective way to tackle the problem was to establish a base using crushed stone on the problem areas to provide an environmentally friendly long term solution.

The work has involved five volunteers from the group working for five days on some quite heavy, demanding tasks.  The group's funds allowed them to hire motorised wheelbarrows which proved very successful and much needed in order to move the 16 tonnes of stone provided by the Outdoor Partnership Team.                                                                                                   

The hard work didn't stop there though, the group have completed a number of other improvements in the Albrighton, Donington and Boningale areas.  This work included the installation of a squeeze stile with an intergrated dog gate to replace a tradition stile that had been proving difficult to negotiate, particularly for the Walking for Health Group, this development has already proved to be very popular.  A number of wooden and metal kissing gates have also been installed to improve accessibility from Woodhouse Lane to Pebble Brook.  Another additional improvement has been to install handrails on three boardwalks in three locations to make them safer to negotiate.

Church Stretton Memorial Gates

A memorial gate scheme in the Church Stretton area is proving to be very popular. The Church Stretton P3 group has been kept busy with installing attractive 4ft Oak Kissing Gates on popular paths in the area.

The public can apply to have an Oak Kissing Gate on a local path for the current cost of £350.00 + VAT. To add a memorial plaque or rout a short message there are additional charges. These gates can only be installed with landowner permission and should ideally make the access easier for walkers. The routes used by the local Walking for Health scheme are usually prime candidates for improvement. A number of stiles that are difficult for many in the guided groups have now been changed for much easier kissing gates, which are of course also stock proof.

There have been requests now outside of the Church Stretton area to extend into other areas,  Bishops Castle P3 group have agreed to install a gate near Wentnor soon.

For more details email David Hardwick or call on 01743 791984.

Lodge Hill to Wesley Brook Surfacing - Shifnal P3

One of the most popular walks from Shifnal is over Lodge Hill and back to the Wesley Brook Valley.  In recent times, during wet weather, certain sections have become waterlogged and difficult to to negotiate.  Shifnal P3 stepped in to help solve the problem spending time revetting these sections and raising the sections with stone aggregate to bring them above the "flood level".  This locally important path can now be enjoyed throughout the year, whatever the weather.    To find out about other walks around Shifnal follow this link to download the walk leaflet for the area.

New Llanfair Waterdine P3 Hit The Ground Running

Situated on the border of Wales Llanfair Waterdine Parish can boast some of the most stunning Countryside and views in Shropshire and is an attractiive location for walkers to the County.  The Parish can now also boast a new P3 group who have already started surveying and working to improve their local Rights of Way.  After an initial meeting in Ocotber 2014 with Helen Beresford and Paul Butter a number of interested individuals came forward to form then new group and some initial works were identified to start on.  The first work day was planned with the aim to solve two issues for both the landowner and walker where a footbridge used to cross the River Teme was also used for moving sheep and on occasion needed to be stock-proofed to prevent stock movement. 

Previously a hurdle had been used to keep the sheep on either side of the crossing but this proved cumbersome for walkers to negotiate so it was agreed with the landowner that a self closing gate should be installed. As a first job for the group this wasn't easy as large concrete slabs were in place exactly where the gate needed to go but with the landowner's help these were moved and then the digging into the incredibly rocky ground below could begin. It is testement to the group that they were undeterred by this and within a couple of hours the gate was installed and working perfectly.

The second job on the day was to repair a field gate which lead down to the bridge, this involved replacing the hanging post re-hanging the gate and installing a new way fingerpost. The improvements made on this footpath will be of benefit to both walkers and the landowner alike and as a service this is the ideal result we strive for.  The group are following on from this success with a number of jobs planned for the coming months to coincide with a number of promoted routes being developed for the area which will be available as walk leaflets in the near future.

Long Mynd Bridleways Group Hit the Minton Hill Ride

Since their first meeting in February, with David Hardwick, the Long Mynd Bridleways P3 have worked together to clear  the section of the ‘Minton Hill Ride’ which goes through the wood next to Churchmoor Hill and above Churchmoor Farm.  The group had identified a number of fallen trees which had rendered the ride impassable and through negotiation with the landowner these were felled and two new gates were erected.  Due to the lack of use in the period when it was blocked brambles and bracken had grown extensively forcing riders to use a tiny track alongside a barbed wire fence which was anything but ideal.  In addition, overhanging branches were forcing riders onto a perilously narrow ledge with a 12 foot drop below, not for the faint hearted! 

The clear solution was to hit it hard and for that brushcutter were needed and the Council put on a training session for the group to get them fully equipped for the task ahead.  Through an incredible amount of teamwork and hard slog the overhanging trees were cut and dragged away and the overgrow vegetation was removed with brushcutters. In addition a troublesome gate was replaced making the ride fully accessible and ready for use.   This really was a great effort all round and shows what can be achieved with a common goal and a great deal of teamwork.  Well done! For more information on the Long Mynd Bridleways Group click on this link to visit their Facebook page.

Cleobury Mortimer Bridge Repair

Cleobury Mortimer Footpath Association volunteers have been busy re-decking a bridge at Lower Forge near Mawley Hall.  The bridge was in need of structural repair as a result of damage to one of the abutments.  As a consequence of a Severn River Trust project to form a salmon pass in the same area the work was integrated into their project and the retaining wall for the bridge was repaired.  New decking boards were replaced over the course of a day and the bridge is now back to its former glory and safe to use.  To download a walk leaflet for this route click on the link.

New Groups

Stoke on Tern Parish Path Wardens have recently upgraded to a full P3 group boasting 6 members keen to make a difference to their local network. They have already installed a number of gates around their Parish on their identified priority route.

We're always looking to set up new groups to help us maintain the extensive Rights of Way network in Shropshire and we're hopeful that groups will soon be established in:

• Worthen
• Farlow (Footpath P3)
• West Felton
• Trefonen
• Little Ness

Friends of Oswestry Racecourse Upcoming Work Parties

Members of the Oswestry Racecourse Management Association (ORMA) had two site meetings in April, one on each side of the common to look at the work that had been done over the winter and to assess what further work was required. Quite a number of broken or missing wooden posts will need replacing in order to prevent unauthorised motor vehicles driving on to the site.

The ponds looked clearer of saplings and vegetation, thanks to the careful attention of a local environmental company. Much of the willow by the north pond had been cut and stacked, allowing the sunshine to reach the water; however, more work is required at the south common pond where there is dense growth of flag iris and reed.

Members noted that the spring gorse was flowering well, that there appeared to be more wood anemones this year than in previous years and that the display of bluebells due in May/June looks as if it may be every bit as good as last year, if not better.

Summer 2015 Work Parties

Some possible work party jobs with provisional dates have been drawn up, if anyone would like to take part in some local environmental volunteering?

Please ring ahead to check that the work party is going ahead on that date.

Call Phone - 01691 688865 or email FORCE

OswestryRacecourse Summer Work Parties for the FORCE

Alternating between North (NC) and South Common (SC)

For more information visit the FORCE Facbook page

Recent Discoveries By The Llimeys

Llanymynech volunteers, Martyn & Tony, have at long last had a look at some of the canal side embankments, rock sidings and the elevated Middleton plate way system. This plate way is a dog leg shape, 207ꞌ long with 45ꞌ running parallel to the canal. The width and height vary as both are heavily eroded. The impressive banked wall reaches a maximum of 9ꞌ. There is a tally house at the end of the embankment complete with fireplace and vaulted ceiling. The bulk of the vegetation was cleared by the Canal and River Trust and volunteers last autumn as the path along the top was totally blocked.  The canal arrived in 1795, and as the plate way system down the Welsh incline still shows many stone blocks, we wondered if there could be anything on the surface of the embankment under the ivy. The winter gales helped us by demolishing two trees. Currently one is still horizontal, the other which grew out of the embankment wall on the edge of the plate way rolled over and blocked the path below but fortunately it did not pull the wall down but did however reveal a stone block with a hole for a metal pin by the root ball.

On careful examination two other blocks were visible on the inboard side, one fitted with 3 pin holes. As we cleared the damage we lifted the ivy and discovered a pack of 6 stone blocks. We found a total of 43 stone blocks, a piece of cast iron inverted T rail, and at 50ꞌ 5" from the datum point a section of cast iron L shaped tramway plate.  The latter is now on view in the stable block. The gauge of the plate way was about 18".  Finds on the other loading wharf were 4 evenly spaced wooden sleepers with spikes still in position, pins, spikes, fish plates, a tipping rail fitting, 4 track bars,  a piece of chain, a broken shovel & de-spiking bar. Further clearance of the main line loop to the kilns through the trees has taken place with help from Gareth Egarr.  A panel of main line track has been placed on the track bed, ballasted and slewed to help with the general site interpretation.  For more information about the Llanymynech Heritage Site click on this link.

Upcoming Volunteer Days at Corbet Wood

Situated just outside Preston Brockhurst, Corbet Wood was for centuries at the centre of a busy quarrying industry as well as some copper mining. The site is a geologist's delight with a number of exposed rock faces showing distinctive features such as rain prints and differing layers of rock formations. Fossilised skeletons and footprints of a primitive lizard-like reptile found here during the Victorian era are thought to have been influential in the understanding of evolution during that time.  The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site and a SSSI for its geological importance.  Corbet Wood Volunteer Rangers aim to help with site management, no experience is needed and tools and training are provided. Come in your old clothes with some gloves and help out, we will be carrying out a variety of jobs including clearing vegetation and repairing walls on the following dates:

Sat 5th September 2015

Sat 17th October 2015

Sat 5th December 2015

10.00am meeting at Corbet Wood Car Park

Feel free to come for just a morning or afternoon!

For more information please email Clive Dean or call on 01743 255909.

Click here for more information on the Corbet Wood Heritage Site.

The Shropshire Wild Teams have certainly been busy these past few months. We started off with a distinct Birding theme and were out checking bird boxes for nesting Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts for the Rea Valley Community Wildlife Group. Also, after many miles of marching along Rights of Way, over stiles and through hedges, our Curlew and Lapwing survey came to an end for us on top of a very wet windswept Clee Hill. Only two sightings (of a pair) were made in total. The last just as we were descending to the minibus down in Clee St Mary.

We also covered areas around Pontesbury and Ratlinghope but with no luck. Other projects have included the Woodland Trust’s Veteran Tree survey on Oswestry Racecourse as well as wildlife, insect and tree surveys for the national Opal project at Rhos Fiddle and Ifton.

We’ve also been helping out with the Upper Onny Wild Flower Verge survey (still ongoing). It’s quite slow work if your wild flower knowledge is a bit sketchy, but quite absorbing once you get going and a very relaxing way to spend a few hours under the Shropshire sky. As well as looking very official with our clipboards and binoculars/magnifiers we’ve also be doing our quota of hard graft. A few gates have gone in and we’ve found ourselves under the blazing hot sun bashing bracken on the hills overlooking Carding Mill Valley and the heathlands of Nesscliffe. We’ve also had a go at doing our bit to save the River Teme from the creeping menace of Himalayan Balsam. Over the next few weeks we shall be helping with installing a bridge, attending a foraging session and trying our hand at a few survival/bushcraft skills in the woods before taking to the hills to brush up on our navigation.

As you can see the Shropshire Wild Teams are quite a dynamic bunch! If you find yourself in need of conservation assistance send out the word and we’ll see if we can help. Even better if you feel you’d benefit from a bit of outdoor physical activity (you’ll never do more than you’re comfortable with) we are always looking for more volunteers.  Alternatively you may like the idea of helping out with the c-ordination as a Support Volunteer? For more information email Simon Brown Outdoor Development Officer or call 01743 255055 or click on the Shropshire Wild Teams link.

Walk Leaders - We Thank You!

Thank you to the 13 new volunteer walk leaders who have trained since the start of the year it’s great to have you on the team!  In addition to their usual walks, walk leaders have also been working hard to promote Walking for Health through local Walking festivals and other events.

Earlier this year in Clun one of the walk leaders helped promote the local group and the benefits of walking to the Clun senior citizen’s group; and helped out with the taster walk for a Diabetes awareness day in Craven Arms - encouraging others to come along to the local walks and give it a go.

In May, Bishop’s Castle Walk Leaders led a Walking for Health walk as part of this year’s Bishop’s Castle Walking Festival, adding to the diversity of walks provided by the festival and raising the profile of Walking for Health locally.

Fond Farewell for Miles

Oswestry Walking for Health said a fond farewell to Miles Ambridge who has led walks in the area for the past 7 years or so.  He is moving to Birmingham to be nearer his family, but will hopefully continue walking.  Thank you, Miles, for all your hard work, dedication and support over the years.

Up Coming Events

On Tuesday 11th August a walk around the North East end of Oswalds Trail will be lead by Liz Evans.  The 4-6 mile walk (weather dependent) circular route starts at Gatacre Avenue Sports Pavillion at 10am, it is free and there is no need to book.  For more information email Liz Evans or call on 01743 255068 and for more information on the Oswald Trail click on this link. 

On 20th August Church Stretton Walk Leaders are leading a Walking for Health walk as part of the Church Stretton Walking festival which will help open up walking opportunities for more people. For details why not visit the festivals Facebook page.

On 31st August Ludlow Walk Leaders are leading a walk for the Green Festival which will provide a taster for people of a Walking for Health walk and help promote the local groups.

NEWSFLASH: Walking for Health walks are starting up again in Craven Arms, we have moved day and venue. Walks will run weeklyfrom July 1st every Wednesday from the Discovery Centre, for an initial 8 week pilot- with the aim to continue these after that period depending on up take and gaining local support for helping to lead the walks, so please help spread the word if you know of anyone who may be interested and lives locally to the town.

Simon Evans Walk - Sunday 9th August

Walk 5 of Shropshire’s War Walks on the Home Front is called ‘Walking in the Footsteps of a Survivor’, because Simon joined up at 19 and served the full 5 years of war with the 16th Cheshires. Wounded severely in the legs in August 1918 he lay awaiting recovery from a shellhole for 3 days, inhaling the deadly mustard gas. He later wrote: ‘If gas goes deep a man has it with him all his life’. His life lasted almost 45 years, yet for the last 16 years he walked over 75, 000 miles as a country postman in Cleobury Mortimer. In his rest hut, 12 miles into his daily round, he wrote articles, which later became books & radio broadcasts.  August 9th 2015 is the 75th anniversary of his death and August 10th the 120th anniversary of his birth.

Please email Val Simpson or call 01299 270655 or to pre-book your place. The walk starts at 10.30 from Lacon Childe School car park Love Lane DY14 8PE.  For more information on the Simon Evans Way click on this link.

At Detton a minibus will be waiting for us to see the rest of Simon’s route. After our return to Detton we will have a packed lunch at Goesland. We hope to return to our start by 3.30 and you will then have an opportunity to view the exhibition in Cleobury Country Centre about Simon’s life and work.

Get Involved with THE BIG PATHWATCH

This summer the Ramblers will be calling on walkers to help with its biggest and most ambitious footpath survey. The Big Pathwatch is the only project that aims not only to walk every right of way in England and Wales to find out what state the paths are in, but also to help fix any problems. Walkers will be able to download the Big Pathwatch app and share their experiences as they walk every right of way within a specific grid square. They’ll be asked to share the positive features of the walk, the beautiful views or interesting landscapes they see, as well as noting any problems they encounter.

The results of the Big Pathwatch will allow the Ramblers to create a comprehensive report on the state of the path network, which will be used to campaign for its upkeep. Where possible, Ramblers’ path maintenance teams will be heading out to fix problems found through the survey, clearing brambles and other overgrown vegetation, improving path surfaces and fixing bridges and gates. Importantly, the results will enable the Ramblers to come up with other long term solutions to ensure the path network is protected for years to come.  For more information click on the link in this article.

Volunteering with Outdoor Partnerships

Our service can't run without the hard work and dedication of all our volunteers and we are always looking for more people to help.  If you or someone you know would like to volunteer with us please email Helen Beresford or call on 01743 255957 to talk about our opportunities.